History

Bob Reynolds and Dave Ledsom, the founders of SDC, become acquainted working together as managers for a national civil engineering company. They both share a common vision of wanting to create a construction company that offers a better and different type of service to that commonly available at the time. 

1972:

Survey, Design and Construction (SDC) Ltd forms with an office on Lime Street in Bedford.

1976:

SDC expands throughout this period moving premises to Grove Place.

1977: 

SDC wins a contract to refurbish 8 hospitality suites at Silverstone and takes one of the suites for its own use. This leads to the Company’s involvement in motorsport sponsorship.

1979:

Four more properties in Grove Place are purchased and refurbished to accommodate the company’s continued growth.

The small works department, now well established in the local house extension market, occupies part of the company’s first industrial development in Sergeants Way.

1980:

SDC begins sponsoring Bedford Rugby Club, a partnership that has run continuously ever since.

1981:

The company name changes to SDC Builders Ltd to make it clearer that the core business is construction and starts using a new strapline – “Refinement and Pride in Building”.

1985:

Due to the demands of continued growth, SDC builds its own office, Limegrove House, and the company relocates. The name “Limegrove” is taken from the previous two addresses that the company occupied.

1988:

Brian Fox is appointed as Managing Director, allowing Bob and Dave to concentrate more on the development side of the business.

1989:

The Milton Keynes Leisure Plaza is constructed and at £8 million is by far the largest value contract in the company’s history.

1990:

SDC completes a large leisure complex, the Aspects Leisure Park in Bedford. This is a joint development with two local developers and City & County Developments Ltd, a subsidiary formed to handle the growing development business.

1991:

A number of new divisions are created to deal with business growth, including Special Projects and Limegrove Supplies.

SDC embarks on a programme of continual improvement; the formation of the Health and Safety department is just one of many initiatives.

1992:

SDC enters into a partnership with Rover.

1997:

The company celebrates its 25th anniversary.

1998:

SDC secures a landmark project; a one million sq.ft. engine manufacturing facility for Rover/BMW at Hams Hall, valued at £70 million on a 50-acre site.

Turnover reaches £80 million.

2000:

Ford purchases Land Rover, creating a new major client for the business.

2002:

SDC celebrates 30 years of business. Co-Founder Bob Reynolds retires.

2004:

Francis Shiner is appointed Managing Director and the Employee Benefit Trust starts to take shape.

2007:

The remaining Co-Founder, Dave Ledsom, and Chairman, Brian Fox, retire.

The Employee Benefit Trust is formed, acquiring the share capital of SDC Holdings Ltd. This business model, the first of its kind in the British construction industry, removes any doubts about the future ownership of the Group and enables future profits to be distributed amongst employees.

2010:

SDC becomes a Chartered Building Company.

2012:

A £64m development for Northampton College is completed, coinciding with SDC's 40th anniversary.

SDC undertakes an ambitious project at Center Parcs Elveden, installing a large water slide and refurbishing the children and toddler play areas. The completion of the scheme marks the beginning of an successful relationship, with similar developments carried out at the Longleat and Sherwood holiday villages.

2013:

SDC upgrades construction vehicles to meet the CLOCS specification, becoming the first main contractor in Cambridge to do so.

2014:

SDC commences work on a Grade I listed refurbishment of Trinity New Court in Cambridge utilising the CLOCS vehicles and The Depot, transforming the way the company delivers projects in the city.

2015:

SDC is shortlisted for Building Magazine’s Contractor of the Year Award.

The Directors establish a training company to improve health and safety standards.

Turnover breaks the £150 million mark. 

2016:

The Community Fund is established to provide a mechanism for supporting the wider community, from charities to local interest groups.

2017:

A new regional office in Oxford opens.

2018:

Turnover reaches a record high £185m.

Caxton Brickwork is established.

2019:

SDC completes it's largest project in Oxford, West Way Square in Botley. 

2020: 

SDC continued to operate safely during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

2021:

SDC begins celebration for its 50th Anniversary with a 10k Race and Fun Run, a Poppy Assault, and a SUPER SUNDAY Football Tournament.